What once looked like a comfortable second-place finish for Arsenal has turned into a nervy battle with Newcastle United. A string of disappointing results—including a surprise loss to Bournemouth and a series of frustrating draws—has seen the Gunners’ grip on the runner-up spot loosen at the business end of the Premier League campaign.
Arsenal vs Newcastle United Preview
- Competition: English Premier League (2024/25 Season)
- Date: Sunday, May 18, 2025
- Kick-off Time: 4:30 PM (UK Time)
- Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
- Arsenal (last 5 games): D-L-L-L-D
- Newcastle United (last 5 games): W-L-W-D-W
- Last 5 Meetings: Arsenal wins 1, Newcastle United wins 4
- Where to Watch: Sky Sports (UK), fuboTV (USA)
Now, with just two points separating them, Arsenal (68 points) find themselves looking over their shoulders at third-placed Newcastle (66 points), who are finishing the season strongly.
The Magpies have had the upper hand over Arsenal this season. They claimed victory in the league reverse fixture and humbled Mikel Arteta’s men 4-0 on aggregate in the Carabao Cup semi-finals—before going on to win the competition and lift their first major trophy in half a century.
Momentum is certainly with Newcastle, who have won three, drawn one, and lost just one of their last 5 Premier League outings. In contrast, Arsenal’s form has faltered at the wrong time, with 4 draws in their last 6 league matches derailing their momentum.
The recent head-to-head record also leans in Newcastle’s favour. In their last 10 meetings across all competitions, the Magpies have claimed 5 victories to Arsenal’s 4, with just one draw between them. That recent dominance adds a psychological edge as the battle for second place heats up.
While Arsenal remain one of Europe’s elite on paper, the reality is stark—5 years without silverware and potentially a third consecutive second-place league finish if they manage to win the second place battle.
Injured Players
Arsenal: Mikel Merino (suspended), Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel and Kai Havertz.
Newcastle: Joelinton, Lewis Hall, Matt Targett, Kieran Trippier, Joe Willock and Sven Botman, according to Livescore.com.
